News

VZP launches ‘positive list’ of cheaper drugs

The biggest Czech public health insurance provider VZP announced the first five medications that are on the so-called ‘positive list’. The list, which the insurance company is launching this month, consists of prescribed medications for no co-payment fee will be charged at the pharmacy. VZP has negotiated 15-30 percent discounts for the medications on the positive list, in exchange for an agreed amount of orders. The insurance provider says this will allow it to save a few hundred million crowns annually. The first five medications on the list are for treatment of diabetes, osteoporosis, prostate and stomach problems.

Demonstration for legalization of marijuana held in Prague

Around 4,000 people participated in a demonstration in central Prague on Saturday to demand legalization of marijuana in the Czech Republic. Organizers of the protest were calling for the legalization of growing marijuana for personal recreational and medical use. The police detained seven people for drug-related offenses. The procession from Charles Square to the Žižkov neighborhood was part of a global Marihuana March and was taking place for the 16th time in Prague. According to the latest poll by the Ipsos agency, 53% of Czechs agree with recreational use of the drug. Prescription marijuana for medical purposes was recently legalized in this country.

Klaus and Hasenkopf take amnesty dispute to media

Former president Václav Klaus told the Právo daily on Saturday that he was exclusively responsible for the text of the controversial New Year’s amnesty. This was in reaction to this week’s statement by the current chancellor at Prague castle Vratislav Mynář that the real authors of the amnesty were Mr Klaus’ former advisors Petr Hájek, Ladislav Jakl a Pavel Hasenkopf. Earlier in the week Mr Hasenkopf, who was a lawyer at Prague Castle said that part of the amnesty was prepared by the Justice Ministry. Mr Klaus denied ever asking Mr Hasenkopf to help him prepare the text of the amnesty, which put to an end a number of controversial corruption cases. In reaction to the former president’s statement, Mr Hasenkopf posted on his Facebook accounts a copy of an email from Mr Jakl from last year forwarding a request from the president to create a draft of the amnesty.

Czech Television opens its doors for anniversary

Czech Television opened up its studios in Prague, Brno and Ostrava to the public on Saturday, as part of the public broadcaster’s celebration of the 60th anniversary of the beginning of broadcasting. Visitors will be able to view sets of television seri es and news studios at the main Kavčí hory headquarters in Prague. On Saturday morning, hundreds of people were reportedly waiting in line there to take a tour of the complex. The open house in Prague will last until 6 p.m., while in Brno in Ostrava until 4 p.m.

Three people in wheelchairs descend Congress Center wall

Two men and a woman in wheelchairs rappelled down the 25-meter high wall of the Congress Center in Prague on Saturday, as part of the “Pojď dál” festival marking the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Jedličkův Institute for children with physical disabilities. The three disabled sportspeople were aided by professional mountain climbers as they scaled down the wall. They originally requested to go down one of the supports of the nearby Nusle bridge, but did not receive permission. The day-long festival also featured a rich musical and artistic program.

Liberec wins over Sparta to take 3rd place

The Liberec football team defeated Prague’s Sparta 2:0 on Saturday in the 26th round of the Gambrinus League. This is the sixth win in a row for Liberec’s Slovan, which puts them in the third place in the league, only five points behind the leading Plzeň, giving them a good chance to play in the European league in the next season. Slovan’s victory has complicated Sparta’s ascend to the top of the chart, where it remains in second place.

'Olympic' drummer passed away, aged 49

Milan Peroutka, drummer of the cult pop-rock band Olympic, died on Friday night at the age of 49. Peroutka had played with Olympic, headed by the frontman Petr Janda, since 1986, and recorded a number of albums with the band since the 1980’s. To celebrate 50 years since the band’s founding, Olympic began the Blue Pyramid tour last year. Given Mr Peroutka’s passing, the band cancelled two upcoming concerts next week in Prague.

Weather

Upcoming days will see sunny to cloudy skies and rain throughout the weekend. Temperatures should reach up to 20 degrees Celsius.